Bisons clinch ASUN gold division title with 7-4 victory over bears
Lipscomb baseball clinched the ASUN Gold Division title with a 7-4 win over Central Arkansas in the regular-season finale Saturday at Bear Stadium. Behind a four-hit performance from junior utility player Hutson Miles and a strong outing from junior outfielder Jordan Thomas, the Bisons secured the division crown and a top seed entering the postseason.
The Bisons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. After Miles singled through the left side and advanced on a throwing error, Thomas lined a double down the left-field line to drive him in. Lipscomb added another run in the second when freshman catcher Brock Beddingfield singled, advanced on consecutive walks, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Miles to make it 2-0.
Central Arkansas answered with solo home runs from graduate pitcher Jagger Schattle and junior infielder Parker Gwyn in the third and fourth innings, tying the game at 2-2. However, the Bisons responded in the top of the fifth. Miles and Brock opened the inning with back-to-back singles, setting up an RBI single from senior utility Aaron Stelogeannis. Moments later, Thomas delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, drilling a two-run double to the left-field corner to give Lipscomb a 5-2 lead.
The Bears chipped away with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Lipscomb answered once again in the seventh. Miles led off the frame by launching a triple to deep left-center. Junior infielder Cam Pruitt drove him home with an RBI double, and Thomas followed with an RBI single to right-center, restoring a comfortable three-run advantage.
Lipscomb’s bullpen turned in a strong performance to lock down the victory. Redshirt sophomore pitcher Adam Jamison stabilized the middle innings before giving way to graduate pitcher Kaleb Kantola in the eighth. Kantola was dominant, striking out four over two scoreless innings. In the ninth, Kantola closed it out by striking out Central Arkansas redshirt sophomore Jack Runsick. Kantola sealed the division title.
With the regular season complete, the ASUN Gold Division champions, the Bisons, will head to the ASUN Championship in DeLand, Florida. Lipscomb is scheduled to open tournament play this Thursday at Melching Field at Conrad Park. Its opponent and game time have not yet been announced.
Featured image courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics
